Chef John's Undead Bacon-Wrapped Meatloaf

Name: Chef John's Undead Bacon-Wrapped Meatloaf
Prep time: 45 min
Cook time: 1 h 5 min
Total time: 1 h 50 min
Yield: 8 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 lb Bacon; 0.25 cup Barbecue Sauce; 1 tsp Black Pepper; 0.75 cup Bread Crumbs; 0.5 cup Butter; 3 tbsp Buttermilk; 0.25 tsp Cayenne Pepper; 0.5 cup Celery; 1.5 cups Diced Yellow Onion; 0.5 tsp Dried Thyme; 1 whole Eggs; 3 whole Garlic; 1 dash Hot Sauce; 2 tbsp Ketchup; 3 lb Lean Ground Beef; 8 oz Mushrooms; 1 whole Onion; 1 tbsp Salt; 2 whole Whole Cloves; 1 tbsp Worcestershire Sauce

Dinner 🍽️Lunch 🥪 American High-Protein 💪Low-Carb Comfort-Food

Chef John's Undead Bacon-Wrapped Meatloaf delivers rich, beefy comfort layered with smoky bacon and a tangy ketchup-barbecue glaze that finishes sweet, peppery, and just a little spicy. Mushrooms, onions, and herbs keep the interior juicy and flavorful, while the dramatic presentation makes it perfect for Halloween parties or any fun, themed dinner where a bold centerpiece is the goal.

Prep45 mins
Cook1 hr 5 mins
Serves8
DifficultyMedium

1

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2

Melt the butter in a pan over medium-high heat. Saute the diced onion, celery, mushrooms, and 1 teaspoon salt until the mixture dries out and begins to turn golden brown, 5 to 7 minutes. Stir in the garlic, black pepper, thyme, and cayenne pepper. Remove from the heat and let cool to room temperature, about 10 minutes.
3

In a large bowl, combine the remaining 2 teaspoons salt, the ground beef, bread crumbs, egg, buttermilk, 2 tablespoons ketchup, and Worcestershire sauce. Add the cooled vegetable mixture. Mix thoroughly with your hands until well combined. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate.
4

From the second onion, slice off 2 round sides about 1/2 inch thick for the zombie eyes. Push 1 clove into the center of each slice. Cut a 1-inch-wide section from the remaining onion and dice it into chunks to make zombie teeth.
5

Transfer the meatloaf mixture to the prepared baking sheet and, with damp hands, shape it into a zombie skull that is 3 to 4 inches tall. Make indents for the eyes, nose, and mouth. Drape the bacon over the face, covering most of the meatloaf. Add the onion eyes and teeth. Use a spatula to tuck the loose bacon ends under the sides. Cover the onion eyes with aluminum foil to keep them from browning.
6

Bake in the preheated oven until the meatloaf reaches an internal temperature of 155 degrees F (68 degrees C), about 1 hour.
7

Stir the barbeque sauce, 1/4 cup ketchup, and hot sauce together in a bowl to make the blood sauce.